In book four, "Bell and the Serpent", Ruth May dies. Nathan's reaction to his youngest daughter's death is not what you would expect of a father. Instead of grieving about her death, he only shows remorse that Ruth May was not yet baptized. To make up for this, he decides to baptize all of Kilanga's children in the rain during Ruth May's funeral. I guess he feels that he can make up his mistakes by doing more "good." Nathan feels that if he baptizes all these children and bring them "salvation", God will forgive him for his wrongs. Ever since his incident during the war, Nathan has been trying hard to prove himself to God and redeem himself. Religion has taken over his life completely and he can not see past it. Even when his family was in danger, he chose to ignore it so that he could fulfill his religious duties. Nathan lives his life by the "words of God." However, there is one question I have, did Nathan ever feel sad about Ruth May's death? Deep down was there sorrow in his heart? Was he just hiding his emotions so that he would not be called a coward once again? Some people may say that Nathan was a heartless person who cared for no one other than himself and God, but I find it hard to believe that he could be this heartless. I can't imagine any father who would feel no sorrow about the loss of a child. Since we do not get to read Nathan's ture personal thoughts, this question may never truly be answered.
- Fanny